The Passion According to St. Matthew by Johann Sebastian Bach

March 5, 2017

Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn

May 21, 2017

First performed in 1727, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was rediscovered and performed by Mendelssohn in 1829. This monumental work by Bach encapsulates his brilliancy as a composer. The St. Matthew Passion retells the Easter week story through chorales, arias and narrative all through a unique voicing of double choir and orchestra. Featuring soloists Carla Wesby, Jeffrey Mandelbaum, Blake Friedman, and Matthew Anchel. Come to Canterbury to begin your Lenten season with this dramatic story. This concert is not to be missed!

Jonathan De Vries is the Artistic Director and Conductor of The Canterbury Choral Society. The 2016-2017 season marks his ninth year of collaboration with the Canterbury Choral Society and the third season as conductor. Mr. De Vries is the Chair of the Music Department at St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s School, where he is music director of productions, directs the choirs, and teaches vocal music. From teaching students to directing adults, Mr. De Vries draws on a diverse set of skills to conduct all styles of music including musical theater, gospel and opera. He has led youth and adult choirs on tours in the United States as well as international venues such as Chartres Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, Orleans Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Mr. De Vries studied conducting with David Xiques, Panni Kovács, James John, Howard Slenk, and Merle Mustert, and he studied the Kodály method at NYU’s Summer Institute. He holds a MS in Music Education from Queen’s College, CUNY, and a BA in Vocal Performance and Conducting from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Canterbury is always interested in adding new voices. Previous choral experience and an audition are required. The audition will include vocal exercises for range, a brief sight-reading piece, and a prepared piece— anything which demonstrates the singer's vocal quality, diction skill, and musicality. Rehearsals are open to prospective singers, and are held September-May on Monday evenings at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Avenue at 2 East 90th Street, New York, NY from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm.